First Meeting I.

****

~Karl~

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was captivating, but I tried to convince myself she was just another spoilt daughter of a councilman, maybe even part of some plan by my mother to push me towards her. Yet, I wasn't going to fall for it. Not this time.

When a strand of hair fell across her face, I instinctively reached out and pushed it aside. Her breath hitched, and I could hear her heart racing.

"I-I'm sorry. Your hair, it kept—"

"It's fine. Thank you," she said softly, looking down. "I'm Katrina. What's your name?"

Katrina… the name didn't ring any bells. It seemed she didn't know who I was, so I played along. "Rowland. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I gently took her hand, asking with my eyes before kissing her knuckles. Her skin felt warm, her pulse quick under my lips. I wanted more, but I held myself back.

She trembled slightly, and I let her hand go, trying to ease the tension. "Would you like to know more about what I do here?"

"Yes, I'd love that," she said with a smile, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"As you wish, my lady," I bowed, making her laugh softly. "I grow these crops for the king. Have you ever met him?"

Rowland, my servant, rolled his eyes as he continued to water the plants. He was baffled by how much this stranger intrigued me.

"No, I've never seen him," she said, her smile fading. "And I hope I don't."

Her words surprised me. "You don't want to meet him?"

I couldn't believe it. Everyone wanted to meet me, whether out of fear or ambition. Women especially, all vying for a place in my quarters.

"No. Can we not talk about him, please?" she asked gently.

I nodded, hiding my disappointment. She didn't want to meet me—why? I had so many questions, but I let them go for now.

Katrina bent down and picked up my water can. "Can I?"

"Of course, but let me show—" I didn't even finish before she started watering the plants with practiced ease. She knew exactly what she was doing.

I watched her, captivated. Who was this woman? There was something about her, something real. If this was my mother's plan, she might have finally won.

"Shall I find out who she is?" Rowland whispered.

"No, I'll ask Mother myself," I replied, still watching Katrina. "Isn't she lovely?"

"She is, but she's too skinny. They must have starved her at home."

"Perhaps," I agreed. Katrina was thin, but her clothes and poise suggested a noble background. "Whose daughter do you think she is?"

Rowland shrugged, as clueless as I was.

"I just hope she's not my enemy's daughter," I chuckled.

"Do you want her to be yours, your highness?" Rowland asked.

"I don't know yet," I said, my gaze still lingering on her. "Let's see where this goes."

*****

Being around Katrina felt different—refreshing. She had this way of making me laugh, even when the weight of my responsibilities pressed on me. 

With her, I could breathe. Yet a part of me was nervous. What would happen if she found out I was the king? Would she still look at me the same way?

"So, you know how to sing?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yes, I used to sing for my father when he was stressed. I'd massage him too," she said with a soft smile. Her long lashes fluttered when she laughed, and I found myself mesmerized. I wanted this moment to last forever.

"Used to? Is he gone?" I asked, sensing something behind her words.

Her face darkened. "No, we just don't live together anymore." She stopped watering the plants and looked away. 

The happiness that had been there moments before vanished. Seeing her like that made my heart tighten. I wanted to fix it, to make her smile again.

"I have to go," she said suddenly. "Maybe we'll see each other again."

"Yes, we will," I said, more sure of it than anything else in my life. I wasn't about to let her slip away.

She handed me the water can, and when our hands touched, a spark shot through me. Before I could say anything more, she turned and hurried off, just as quickly as she'd come.

Rowland, who had been watching the whole time, chuckled. "She's interesting."

I dropped the can, still caught up in the moment. "We're done for the day." I waved at the guards in the distance, signaling them to finish up. I hadn't even noticed them before—no wonder Katrina hadn't seen them either.

Back at the palace, I took a long bath, trying to shake off the feelings bubbling up inside me. 

I only visited the farm on Saturdays, yet something had drawn me there today. Maybe fate had placed Katrina in my path.

But I couldn't stop thinking about her—her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at me without knowing who I was. I had to know more.

After getting dressed, I sent for my mother. When she arrived, I didn't waste any time. "Mother, who is the lady you sent to the farm today?"

She frowned, clearly confused. "I didn't send anyone to you. I was preparing to introduce you to your new concubine, the daughter of that debtor. Her name is—"

"Don't start with that," I sighed, turning my back to her. The last thing I wanted to hear about was some arranged concubine I had no interest in.

"So, what do you want me to do with her?" my mother asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Do whatever you want. I don't care."

She smirked. "I'll marry her off to your cousin Edwin then. She's too young to just sit around your quarters."

I clenched my fists. Edwin was insufferable, and she knew it. The thought of him anywhere near my affairs was infuriating. "Fine. If you want, I'll even plan the wedding."

"Are you serious?" She stepped closer, studying my face.

I turned and met her gaze. "Yes, I'll wed them myself. Inform Edwin."

"If you say so, son." She bowed, clearly surprised, and left the room.

But none of it mattered. The concubine, Edwin—all of it was meaningless compared to the mystery of Katrina. 

Who was she? And what had she been doing in my garden this morning? I had to find out.